US-Iran war live updates: Trump warns of further strikes with a ‘force never seen before’ after death of Khamanei; relataliatory strikes hit nations across the Middle East

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday that the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was “a defining moment in Iran’s history”.

“What comes next is uncertain. But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape,” Kallas said on social media platform X.

“I’m in contact with partners, including those in the region that bear the brunt of Iran’s military actions, to find practical steps for de-escalation.”

Reuters

North Korea and Russia have condemned Israel and the US’s attacks on Iran.

North Korea’s foreign ministry spokesperson said that the military operation was “illegal aggression” and a violation of national sovereignty, state media Korean Central News Agency reported on Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family was “cynical” murder that violated all the norms of human morality and international law.

“Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law,” Putin said in a note to Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian released by the Kremlin

“In our country, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations and bringing them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Putin said.

“I ask you to convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government and the entire people of Iran.”

“Guests scheduled to travel on Virgin Australia services between Australia and Doha in the coming days are advised to closely monitor their flight information and visit the Smartraveller website for the latest travel advice,” said a spokesperson for Virgin.

“We thank everyone for their understanding, and we will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.”

Qatar Airways said operations will resume only after the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority officially announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. The airline intends to provide a further update by 5pm AEDT on Monday.

Emirates has suspended all operations to and from Dubai until 10pm AEDT on Monday, 2 March.

Etihad Airways said all flights to and from Abu Dhabi are currently suspended, with the suspension expected to remain in place until 9am AEDT on Monday.

Alireza Arafi was appointed on Sunday as the jurist member of Iran’s Leadership Council, a body tasked with fulfilling the supreme leader’s role until the Assembly of Experts elects a new leader, ISNA news agency reported.

A cleric member of the Guardian Council, Arafi will be part of the temporary Leadership Council alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

Reuters

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian says revenge is Iran’s “legitimate right and duty”, in a statement shared with Iranian state media.

Pezeshkian added that Iran would do its utmost to fulfil this duty.

The comments come as Israel strikes aimed at the “heart” of Tehran make impact.

Iranian state media also reported that Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref had ordered ministers and governors to ensure the country’s administration continued without interruption during the attacks.

A widening Middle East conflict looks set to create the most significant disruption for gas markets since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended global trade four years ago.

Iran’s neighbours, like Qatar, are some of the world’s most important producers, and the region is also a vital supply route, with 20 per cent of liquefied natural gas exports travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial choke point for global energy.

LNG trade through the narrow waterway is now all but halted, according to ship-tracking data. Asian buyers – which take roughly a quarter of their LNG from Qatar, the world’s second-largest exporter – have been calling suppliers to check if alternative cargoes are available, according to traders. Egypt, meanwhile, is trying to bring forward shipments, after supplier Israel closed some fields.

“Any naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz will be particularly bullish, as will any developments with Qatari LNG production,” said Tom Marzec-Manser, director of Europe LNG and gas at energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 created unprecedented turmoil in the international gas trade, cutting Moscow off from its largest export market, fuelling volatility and triggering a record rise in prices in Europe and elsewhere.

Shipments to Asia – and Europe – must pass through the Strait of Hormuz. So far, at least 11 LNG tankers going to or from Qatar have paused voyages to avoid the waterway, according to ship-tracking data.

“There is no replacement,” Anne-Sophie Corbeau, a researcher at Columbia University’s Centre on Global Energy Policy, said in a post on LinkedIn. “Will prices spike more in Asia or in Europe? Europe is less exposed, but has low storage levels. It also depends on how much is diverted to Asia.”

Bloomberg

A small oil tanker was targeted off Oman’s coast in the Arabian Sea, authorities report, the first sign of an attack on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in the Middle East.

Oman’s Maritime Security said the Skylight tanker was targeted north of Khasab port, according to a post on X. It evacuated a 20-person crew and four people were injured, it said. There are two vessels with the name Skylight, but only one appears off the coast of Oman. That ship was sanctioned by the US last last year for being an “enabler of Iranian petroleum exports.”

It was unclear who targeted the Skylight off the Omani coast. The reported hit on what could be a dark fleet vessel comes as ships have been largely avoiding the Strait of Hormuz that lies between Iran and Oman’s northern coast since the war in the Middle East started over the weekend.

Multiple ships reported on Saturday hearing radio broadcasts purporting to come from the Iranian navy announcing that transit through the waterway was banned. Tehran has threatened American vessels, but has not made a formal announcement around the status of the waterway or announced its closure.

The Skylight itself is relatively small, with a size of just over 11,000 deadweight tons. The biggest crude oil tankers are more than 300,000 deadweight tons.

The Equasis maritime database says it is flagged by the Republic of Palau, which is designated as medium risk on a ‘black list’ published by the Paris Memorandum on Port State Control, which oversees ship inspections and promotes safety.

Bloomberg

A massive explosion struck Iran’s capital on Sunday, sending a huge plume of smoke into the sky and shaking the ground.

While the target was unclear, the Israeli military said it was aiming at the “heart” of the city. The blast appeared to have been in a neighbourhood that is home to the country’s police headquarters and Iranian state television.

The Israeli military added that while the first day of operations was focused on clearing the path to Tehran, the second day of strikes was targeted at central Tehran.

AP

At least nine people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in Karachi, Pakistan, after pro-Iran Shiite Muslims tried to storm the US consulate.

Hundreds of people attempted to storm the consulate in the port city, smashing windows and setting a motorcycle on fire after the US and Israel attacked Iran and killed the country’s supreme leader.

Police and paramilitary forces used batons and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, police official Mohammad Jawad said.

AP

Millions of people lived their entire lives under the iron rule of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

When reports of his demise began to trickle in, videos from inside Iran began to flood social media showing scenes of celebration on the streets of some cities and towns.

The reaction by the authorities was denial, then mourning. Iran’s state television confirmed Khamenei’s death about 5am (Iranian time). A news presenter delivered the statement with a trembling voice as the channel placed a black banner in the corner of the screen and broadcast recitations of Koranic verses – a visual cue traditionally used to signal national mourning.

Some time later, images from Tehran showed people on the streets mourning at what appeared to be pro-government events, some carrying portraits of Khamenei. By contrast, footage from other parts of the country verified by The New York Times showed cars honking and people dancing and chanting in jubilation – even as Iran’s future post-Khamenei remained highly uncertain.

Bloomberg